Automatic rotary machine for the production of empanadas

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an automatic rotary machine for the production of empanaclas, comprising a circular rotary plate on which the empanadas are produced, actuated by a motor reducer and with pneumatic, hydraulic or other type means in the different production phases, such as dough metering, flattening, filling metering, molding, flattening and cutting. The invention includes a dough flattening disk and a folding system comprising two retractable half-moons actuated by pivot levers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Prior Art of the Invention

Empanadas are mixtures of different foods which, usually have a coatingof dough made from flour, with fillings of meat, vegetables and othercompounds that make them a good meal replacement. Empanadas aremanufactured in different ways and forms using different techniques,most conventional being processed manually, through kneading cornmeal orwheat flour and then flattening them with rollers made of wood, placingthe flattened dough mass and then placing within the center portion afilling of pre-cooked and seasoned (usually with meats or vegetables)and covering with the dough wherein surplus dough is removed or cuteither by hand or with the help of a semi-circular shaped vessel.

Although made everywhere, empanadas are typically made by hand,resulting in empanadas of varying sizes, using too much time handkneading the flour, forming, molding and closing. There have been anumber of machines designed to make, empanadas, including AR 204790, AR031737 and AR 19750261219. Others have a roller that moves automaticallyleaving the dough attached to the workbench. There have been suggestionsin the art for the use of rollers which rotate automatically dies forcutting, although when used manually these do not significantly reducethe preparation time or increases the, quality of the product.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention for the automatic rotary machine formaking empanadas to allow continuous serial mass production whileproviding high quality standards.

It is another important object of the invention for the rotary automaticmachine for making empanadas to reduce empa nada production time withoutthe need of excessive movements that fatigue operators or generateoccupational heatlh risks.

An equally important object for the automatic rotary machine for makingempanadas is to have aseptic and hygienic materials in its constructionand have since no personal handling of the empartadas takes place, tomake the production of empanadas that are free of particulates andpollutants.

At the same another object of the invention for the automatic rotarymachine for making empanadas is to require a minimum of labor duringtheir production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To clarify the invention and its advantages compared to the known art,we describe below with the aid of the accompanying drawings, differentforms of illustrative embodiments and not limiting the application ofthese principles.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the automatic rotary machine and itsvarious processing areas.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the dough dispenser body and/or fillingdispenser for the automatic machine for making empanadas.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the dough modeler, closer and cutter for theautomatic machine for making empanadas.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the turntable and the six stationsfor the different steps of empanada assembly; laminator and/or modeler,dough enclosing and cutting for the automatic machine for makingempanadas.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view showing the dough folding processstation system activated.

FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view of the dough folding system.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the dough folding system when activated.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the dough folding system when activatedwhen activated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH RESPECT TO THE FIGURES

This invention relates to an, automatic rotary machine for the automaticmanufacture of empanadas and similar pies characterized in its entiretythrough a rotating six-step process having six stations wherein in thefirst step the dough 9 is metered and deposited by a metering plunger 2activated by a mechanical system of the screw and/or fastener 3 and/or apneumatic and/or hydraulic piston which is powered by a geared motor ordispenser gear actuator 5 under Programmable Logic Control (PLC)control, wherein the dough passes to a near flattening station in whicha pneumatic and/or hydraulic piston 7 activating a flattening mold disc14 flattens 24 the dough 9 into a circular plate working area within theturntable 6 which is actuated through a reduction gear 4 by the PLCwhich then moves the turntable through the reduction gear 4 under PLCcontrol and then moves the dough to the area where there is a pneumaticand/or hydraulic piston. Once in the flattener, the actuator 7 (pistonand/or worm gear system) flattens the dough 9 through the use of aflattening disc 14 and moves the flattened dough 24 to the area wherethe filling 8 is deposited by means of an empanada filling feeder ordispenser 25 actuated by a mechanical system screw and/or rack 3 whichis powered by another gear motor 5 and/or a plunger tire and/orpneumatically controlled by the same PLC to pass the dough to thefolding system station 26 position of the flattened dough body 24 withfilling 8 inside which is folded by means of retractable crescent molds15 folding it into two parts at ninety degrees to each other, whichlifts half of the flattened dough 24 deposited above the filling 8 by asystem located below the folding area 26 of booster rod 18 which ispivoted on the shaft 20 within the bearing pivot 19 when they reach thearea of folding, these booster rods 18 colliding with one of its endsagainst a fixed shaft 33 attached to such structure of the machine andrefrain pushing closer rods 16 to push the crescents mold 15 that jointsuniversal movement 17 and patella kit 34 up and folded and returned bythe action of spring 37 and then move to the area of modeling , closureand cutting of excess dough by the mold closure and cut 3 driven by apneumatic and/or hydraulic piston 10 and/or worm pinion engaging in arack 3 controlled by the PLC 21, and the completed empanadas 23 continueto rotate on the turntable 6 to eject at the last station where a staticdiverting arm 30 addressed by the nozzle 31 to a conveyor or packingcontainers.

Referring in detail to the drawings, looking at FIG. 1 we see anautomatic revolving machine for making empanadas 1 with different stepsfor the automatic construction of an empanada located areas where we seethe turntable 6, with a dough dispenser 2 where the deposited dough 9enters the area where dough is flattened 24 on the disc 14 driven by apneumatic and/or hydraulic piston 7. This flattener dough 24 is thentaken to the area for deposit of filling 8 where the empanada fillingdispenser 25 passes on to the folding zone 26 and then continue the tourcoming to the area where the diverter arm 30 ejects the finishedempanada 9 to the area of further conveyor belts and/or storagecontainers for packaging.

In FIG. 2 we show the dispensing system for either dough and/or doughfilling activated by a pinion and/or auger and/or rack 3 with the doughdispenser or container 2.

In FIG. 3 we show the flattening system with a flat disc 14 and/or moldfor closing and cutting 13 driven by a rack, auger and/or rack 3.

In FIG. 4 we see the turntable 6 with its central support axis 29 whichhold the different steps for assembling the empanadas with crescentmolds 15 retractable 15 and sensors 12 which give the signal to the PLCfor dosing, flattening, molding, sealing and cutting.

FIG. 5 shows the turntable 6 with the crescent mold 15 at the foldingarea, actuated by the closer rod 16 with the core or support axle 29 andthe sensors 12.

FIG. 6 shows a lateral section of the empanada folding system 26 thecrescent 15 which is retractable and is folded into two sections eachninety degrees by the action of the booster rod 18 pivoted to the fixedshaft 20 with its bearing pivot 19 by activating the connecting closerrod 16 by means of the patella 34 and universal movement 17 articulatingparts of the crescent colliding booster rods 18 of crescent when itcollides with the fixed shaft 33 to the structure of the folding machineon the flattened dough 24 filling 8 making it ready to become patterned,closed and cut surplus.

FIG. 7 shows the rear of the crescent mold 15 sequence in 35 of thecloser rod 16 located horizontally in the process to remain uprightfolding retractable Crescent by the push booster rod 18.

FIG. 8 shows the sequence 36 of the movements as the rod 18 pushes theconnecting rod 16 which lifts the retractable crescent 15 by the actionof the connecting rod 18 pivots about its shaft or axis 20 when itcollides with the fixed shaft 33 anchored to the structure of the,machine and back to your site once it has been fixed shaft 33 by theaction of spring 37.

Checklist

Rotary Machine for Making Empanadas and Empanada

1—Automatic empanada machine

2—Dough dispenser, screw activated

3—Auger and/or zipper dough dispenser 2

4—PLC controlled gears

5—Dispenser 2 gear actuator

6—Turntable

7—Pneumatic Piston for flatterer

8—Empanada Filling

9—Dough

10—Pneumatic Piston to power the mold and cut die

11—Piston with bladed auger for cutting or flattening

12—PLC Sensors

13—Mold for cutting and closing

14—Flattening Disc Mold

15—Retractable crescent mold

16—Closer Rod for pushing retractable crescent mold

17—Universal movement closer

18—Booster Rod for pushing closer rod 16

19—Pivot point for booster rod 18

20—Shaft where, booster rod 18 pivots

21—PLC

22—Wheels that help support areas for flattening and cut molding

23—Finished empanada

24—Flattened dough

25—Empanada filling dispenser

26—Dough folding station

27—Pillars to support flattened, patterned and cut pneumatic pistons

28—Pillars to support the dough and filling dispensers

29—Turntable support axle

30—Diverting arm for finished empanada 23 transport to slide 31

31—Finished empanada slide 31

32—Empanada in the molding and excess cutoff process

33—Fixed shaft which activates the dough folding system

34—Patella Kit which connects the two cranks dough folding, systems

35—Sequence of movements of the closer rod 16 walking, up and makesdouble average retractable crescent mold 15 when pushed by the boosterrod 18.

36—Sequence of the movement of the connecting booster rod 18 pivoted andpushing the closer rod 16 so the patella kit'34 pushes and bends thecrescent mold 15 through the universal closer movement 17.

37—Spring which unfolds the retractable crescent, returning the boosterrod 18 when the fixed shaft 33 passes the folding system.

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 10. (canceled) 11.An empanada manufacturing system comprising; one or more programmablelogic control units sensing and activating the motion of one or more ofthe following system components, including; a turntable controlled bysaid PLC and powered by a motor through gears; one or more programmabledough dispenser components, each said dough dispensing component havinga controllable dispensing actuator; one or more controllable doughflattening components, each said flattening component comprised of aflat mold connected to a programmable flattening actuator; one or moreprogrammable empanada filling dispenser components, each said empanadafilling dispensing component having a controllable dispensing actuator;one or more controllable dough folding components; one or morecontrollable empanada cutting and closing components, each said cuttingand closing component comprised of a mold connected to a programmableclosing actuator; and finished empanada diverting means.
 12. the systemof claim 11 wherein; each said dough dispenser component, doughflattening component, empanada filling dispenser controller, doughfolding component and cutting and closing component control isadjustable according to the raw material from which the dough is made.13. the system of claim 12 wherein; at least one of each said doughdispenser component, dough flattening component, empanada fillingdispenser controller, dough folding component and cutting, and closingcomponent control is actuated by a pneumatic, and/or hydraulic systemunder PLC control.
 14. the system of claim 12 wherein; at least one ofeach said dough dispenser component, dough flattening component,empanada filling dispenser controller, dough folding component andcutting, and closing component control is actuated by a pinion, augerand/or zipper mechanism under PLC control.
 15. the system of claim 12wherein; one or more of at least one of each said dough dispensercomponent, dough flattening component, empanada filling dispensercontroller, dough folding component and cutting, and closing componentcontrol is actuated by one of a pinion, auger, zipper, pneumatic orhydraulic mechanism under PLC control.
 16. An empanada manufacturingmethod comprising; providing one or more programmable logic controlunits sensing and activating the motion of one or more of the followingsystem components, including; providing a turntable controlled by saidPLC and powered by a motor through gears; providing one or moreprogrammable dough dispenser components, each said dough dispensingcomponent having a controllable dispensing actuator; providing one ormore controllable dough flattening components, each said flatteningcomponent comprised of a flat mold connected to a programmable,flattening actuator; providing one or more programmable empanada fillingdispenser components, each said empanada filling dispensing, componenthaving a controllable dispensing actuator; providing one or morecontrollable dough folding components; one or more controllable empanadacutting and closing, components, each said cutting and closing componentcomprised of a mold connected to a programmable closing actuator; andproviding finished empanada diverting means.
 17. the method of claim 16wherein; each said dough dispenser component, dough flatteningcomponent, empanada filling dispenser controller, dough foldingcomponent and cutting and closing component control is adjustableaccording to the raw material from which the dough is made.
 18. themethod of claim 16 wherein; at least one of each said dough dispensercomponent, dough flattening component, empanada filling dispensercontroller, dough folding component and cutting, and closing componentcontrol is actuated by a pneumatic and/or hydraulic system under PLCcontrol.
 19. the method of claim 16 wherein; at least one of each saiddough dispenser component, dough flattening component, empanada fillingdispenser controller, dough folding component and cutting, and closingcomponent control is actuated by a pinion, auger and/or zipper mechanismunder PLC control.
 20. the method of claim 16 wherein; one or more of atleast one of each said dough dispenser component, dough flatteningcomponent, ^(empanada) filling dispenser controller, dough foldingcomponent and cutting, and closing component control is actuated by oneof a pinion, auger, zipper, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism under PLCcontrol.